Alta must overcome barrier challenge

SAME AGAIN? Can Alta Christiano salute once more this Friday? Picture: Bill Crabb Source: PerthNow

TUESDAY'S barrier draw for the $200,000 Sky Racing WA Derby (2536m) on Friday night at Gloucester Park has given rivals of boom three-year-old Alta Christiano a ray of hope after the Western Gateway winner drew barrier 9 on the backline.

In the Western Gateway Pace last Friday night, Alta Christiano blew his rivals away even though he won by just over a length.

After being engaged in a early speed battle with Caesar Augustus and Glenferrie Hood, the son of Christian Cullen then fought off the challenge of Macha to win in a 1.55.5 mile rate, which cut a second off Luckon Lad’s three-year-old track record.

Trained by Gary Hall Snr and to be driven by Gary Hall Jnr, Alta Christiano has drawn behind Extreme Dreams, who is expected to go forward at the start.

That being the case, Alta Christiano should get a lovely run through from the second line to be sitting midfield in the moving line, allowing Hall Jnr plenty of options as to when he can make his move.

MACHA - who ran second behind Alta Christiano last week - has like last week drawn the inside of the backline in barrier 8.

Carrying a flat tyre that was coming of its rim for the final 500m, Macha put up a superb performance.

My Hard Copy, who has drawn barrier 1, could be engaged in a early battle for the lead, which means that Macha could get a lovely run through the field and settle leaders back.

Luck, then, has to play a part as to if he can get clear, but if the speed is on early then that could easily be the case.

Slick Chapel ran a solid race last week in finishing fifth, only beaten three-and-a-half lengths from a back row draw.

From barrier 2 on Friday night, driver Kim Prentice has a number of options available to him.

Others with chances include Northview Punter, My Hard Copy and Caesar Augustus, but Alta Christiano is the selection to make it two WA wins on end.

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DAVID HERCULES will be aiming to make it three wins from five starts this campaign when contesting the European Prestige Volkswagen Service Pace (1730m).

Last Friday night, the Dave Thompson prepared horse settled in the back half of the field in a 2130m assignment and was taken three wide with 650m to go, before racing to the front 100m out and winning by 3.5m.

Friday night's field it could be argued is collectively weaker, and drawn barrier 2, he should not only start a short-priced favourite but should lead and win.

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EXCITEMENT machine Hokuri Handrail has drawn the outside of the front line in the European Prestige BMW Mini Service Qualifying Heat (2130m).

His past two wins have been nothing short of breathtaking in their toughness.

Two starts back, the son of Falcon Seelster was three wide for the first 1600m of a 2190m assignment at Northam before he settled on the outside of the leader.

He went to the front with 250m to go, and then had to fight hard to defeat the fast finishing Pacific Warrior and win by a half-neck in a quick 1.57.6.

At his last start the Kristy Morrone prepared five-year-old was again caught wide and, reminiscent of his Northam run, sat up outside the leader before destroying his rivals over the final 500m to win by just over five lengths.

Those performances were enormous and though he is going up in grade he should just be too tough, too classy, too good for his rivals on Friday night.

Clifford, Roy Bolt and Seven Wishes could fight it out for the minor end of the money.

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IF memories are cast back to March 22 and the performance of Adda Paternal Suit to win over 1730min a track record 1.53.6, then he could be considered to be hard to beat in Friday night's European Prestige Mercedes Service Pace (2130m).

His past two starts have been against the best of the state's best free-for-allers that are currently going around.

Back a notch in class, the Andrew De Campo trained six-year-old should take some tossing. Argent Treasure, who has drawn ideally in barrier 1, looms as Adda Paternal Suit’s main obstacle to victory.

HES MY HERO ran on from last with 800m to finish just over two lengths third behind pride Of Colorado last Friday and can also be a major novelty hope.

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ROCKY POP will be aiming for two wins on end when contesting the Sky Racing WA Derby Consolation (2536m). Drawn ideally in barrier 2, the Murray Hansen trained three-year-old looks the testing material.

HEZ THE BART MAN is the tip in the European Prestige Audi Service Pace (2130m), and Wjos Mistake could win the Sky Racing APP Discretionary Handicap (2503m).

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